What are Accountable Care Organizations (ACO)?

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This video explains the concept of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) and its purposes/goals. Below are some of the takeaways:

  • An ACO, which stands for "Accountable Care Organization," is designed to improve the quality of healthcare while simultaneously controlling costs.

  • ACO’s consist of a group of healthcare professionals, including doctors, hospitals, and other providers, who collaborate with insurance companies to deliver integrated care within a smaller network of providers.

  • Instead of various healthcare providers working independently, ACO’s promote a team-based approach where primary care doctors, specialists, hospitals, and nurses cooperate and share information about patients' health. This collaboration helps prevent redundant tests and treatments, reducing the need for expensive and unnecessary medical interventions to ensure patients receive the best possible care.

  • A significant aspect of ACO’s is the incentive structure. If an ACO effectively keeps patients healthy and saves money, they may receive rewards from insurance companies. Conversely, if their performance is subpar, they might face penalties or lack of rewards. This accountability encourages healthcare providers to be mindful of the costs incurred by their patients and promotes cost-effective and efficient care delivery.